Program Overview
Through the Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree you:
- Build a well-rounded foundation in the liberal arts fields and focused subject areas, such as business, computer science, international relations, economics, and psychology.
- Develop effective communication skills for academic and professional contexts.
- Learn to think critically across a variety of subjects—fostering an informed, independent worldview.
Your Harvard Degree
Bachelor of Liberal Arts (ALB) in Extension Studies
Program Benefits
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Customizable path, stackable certificates, & experiential learning
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Instructors who are academics and industry professionals at the top of their fields
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Personalized academic & career advising
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Entrepreneurial opportunities through the Harvard Innovation Labs
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Paid research options
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Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation
Customizable Course Curriculum
Our curriculum is flexible in pace and customizable by design. You can study part time, choosing courses that fit your schedule and align with your career goals.
In the program, you’ll experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning on campus. You can complete most of your courses online. For an immersive on-campus experience, you’ll complete 4 courses (16 credits) in person at Harvard.
To focus your studies, you will choose a concentration: humanities, science, or social sciences. You may further narrow your focus further by choosing a field of study or minor.
Admissions
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.
You first register for and complete 3 degree courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies. They count toward your degree and help ensure success in the program.
Getting Started
To get started, explore the curriculum, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.
Stackable Pathways
In the bachelor’s degree program, you may decide to earn an undergraduate certificate along the way to your full degree. Options include certificates in:
- Coding
- Professional communications
- Social justice
- Web development
If you decide you want to continue on to earn a master’s degree at Harvard Extension School, explore our accelerated joint-degree path.
Our Community at a Glance
In the Bachelor of Liberal Arts Program, you join a diverse student community of adult learners with years of full-time work experience, providing an enriching learning environment.
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34
Average Age
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2
Average Courses Taken Each Semester
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80%
Work Full Time
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98%
Would Recommend the Program
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81%
Degree Candidates with Transfer Credit
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Most
Earn Degree to Prepare for Graduate School
Harvard Extension School has made my dream come true.
Cost and Financial Aid
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2022–23 rate) | $2,040 per course* |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $2,900 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $32,640–$65,280 |
*Three of our recommended courses for admission cost $1,000 each.
After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.
Building Community
“Everyone along the way has been really understanding of having to balance a professional life with an academic life — and they’ve been extremely helpful in terms of fostering my creativity, curiosity, and ability to develop new knowledge.”
– Daniel M., degree candidate
